Drawing students from all over the world, AU's top-ranked SIS has the largest faculty and most comprehensive curriculum of any school of international affairs in the United States. With our D.C. location and a multidisciplinary approach that marries theory and practice, you won't find a better place to build your global practice of service.

Admission to the Program

Candidates for admission to the school must present evidence of excellent personal and academic qualifications. To be considered for freshman admission, an applicant should have earned at least a B average in secondary school. Cultural factors are considered in evaluating transcript and examination results. Other factors taken into account are leadership qualities, character, and personal interest. Students from other regionally-accredited collegiate institutions, and students in other programs at American University who have completed the freshman year, should maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) to be considered for transfer to the school. 

University Requirements

• A total of 120 credit hours 
• 6 credit hours of college writing 
• 3 credit hours of college mathematics or the equivalent by examination 

General Education Requirements

• A total of ten courses, consisting of one foundation course and one second-level course in an approved sequence from each of the five curricular areas 
• No more than 6 credit hours may be taken in the same discipline 

Major Requirements

• 63 - 65 credit hours plus 3–20 credit hours in foreign language course work, with grades of C or better 

Up to 18 of these credit hours may also count toward fulfillment of General Education requirements. 

Students may, where appropriate and with SIS approval, select special topics courses to fulfill requirements. Students may apply up to 3 credit hours toward the major from an approved internship or cooperative education field experience. Study abroad course credits may be used toward the major with the approval of SIS. 

Foundation Courses (27-28 credit hours)

• SIS-50 SIS Mentorship Program (non-credit)
• ECON-100 Macroeconomics 4:1 (3) 
• ECON-200 Microeconomics 4:2 (3) 
• One course in U.S. politics from the following: 

GOVT-110 Politics in the United States 4:1 (3–4) 

GOVT-210 Political Power and American Public Policy 4:2 (3) 

GOVT-220 The American Constitution (3) 4:2

• SIS-105 World Politics 3:1 (3)
• SIS-106 First Year Seminar (3)
• SIS-140 Cross-Cultural Communication 3:1 (3) 
• Two courses focusing on Western traditions (6 credit hours) from the following: 

ANTH-235 Early America: The Buried Past 2:2 (3) 

ARTH-205 Art of the Renaissance 2:2 (3) 

COMM-270 How the News Media Shape History 2:2 (3) 

GOVT-105 Individual Freedom vs. Authority 2:1 (3) 

GOVT-303 Ancient Political Thought (3) 

GOVT-305 Modern Political Thought (3) 

HIST-100 Historians and the Living Past 2:1 (3) 

HIST-110 Renaissance and Revolutions: Europe, 1400–1815 2:1 (3) 

HIST-115 Work and Community 2:1 (3) 

HIST-202 The Ancient World: Greece (3) 

HIST-203 The Ancient World: Rome (3) 

HIST-204 Medieval Europe (3) 

HIST-205 American Encounters: 1492–1865 2:2 (3) 

HIST-215 Social Forces that Shaped America 2:2 (3) 

HIST-235 The West in Crisis: 1900–1945 2:2 (3) 

HIST-245 Modern Jewish Civilization (3) 

JLS-110 Western Legal Traditions 2:1 (3) 

JLS-225 American Legal Culture 2:2 (3) 

JWST-205 Ancient and Medieval Jewish Civilization 2:2 (3) 

JWST-210 Voices of Modern Jewish Literature 2:2 (3) 

LIT-125 Great Books That Shaped the Western World 2:1 (3) 

LIT-235 African American Literature 2:2 (3) 

LIT-240 Asian American Literature 2:2 (3) 

LIT-265 Literature and Society in Victorian England 2:2 (3) 

LFS-230 The Modernist Explosion: Culture and Ideology in Europe 2:2 (3) 

PHIL-105 Western Philosophy 2:1 (3) 

PHIL-220 Moral Philosophy 2:2 (3) 

PHIL-221 Philosophy, Politics, and Society (3) 

PHIL-235 Theories of Democracy and Human Rights 2:2 (3) 

PHIL-300 Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (3) 

PHIL-301 Modern Philosophy from Bacon to Hegel (3) 

PHIL-302 Nineteenth Century Philosophy (3) 

PHIL-303 Twentieth Century Philosophy (3) 

PHYS-230 Changing Views of the Universe 2:2 (3) 

RELG-105 The Religious Heritage of the West 2:1 (3) 

RELG-220 Religious Thought 2:2 (3) 

SOCY-215 The Rise of Critical Social Thought 2:2 (3) 

WGST-150 Women’s Voices through Time 2:1 (3) 

• One course in non-Western area studies (3 credit hours). See also the list of approved courses in the SIS Undergraduate Advising Office. 

Africa 

LIT-150 Third World Literature 3:1 (3) 

RELG-210 Non-Western Religious Traditions 3:2 (3) 

SIS-250 Civilizations of Africa 3:2 (3) 

SIS-265 Contemporary Africa (3) 

The Americas 

HIST-241 Colonial Latin America (3) 

HIST-242 Latin America since Independence (3) 

LFS-210 Latin America: History, Art, Literature 3:2 (3) 

SIS-276 Contemporary Latin America (3) 

Asia 

HIST-250 Civilization and Modernization: Asia 3:2 (3) 

RELG-185 Forms of the Sacred: Religions of the East 3:1 (3) 

RELG-210 Non-Western Religious Traditions 3:2 (3) 

SIS-161 Civilizations of Asia (3) 

SIS-255 China, Japan and United States 3:2 (3) 

Middle East 

HIST-343 History of Israel (3) 

RELG-370 Islam (3) 

SIS-245 The World of Islam 3:2 (3) 

SIS-264 Contemporary Middle East (3) 

SOCY-225 Contemporary Arab World 3:2 (3) 

Russia and Central Eurasia 

HIST-225 Russia and the Origins of Contemporary Eurasia 3:2 (3) 

HIST-230 Early Russian History, 988–1700 (3) 

HIST-231 Imperial Russia, 1700–1917 (3) 

HIST-232 Twentieth Century Russia (3) 

SIS-258 Contemporary Russia (3) 

Core Field Courses (9 credit hours)

• 9 credit hours from the following:

SIS-308 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution (3)

SIS-337 International Development (3)

SIS-382 Analysis of U.S. Foreign Policy (3)

SIS-385 International Economic Policy (3)

SIS-388 International Environmental Politics (3)

Research Methods (6–7 credit hours)

• SIS-206 Introduction to International Relations Research (3) 
• One course from the following: 

STAT-202 Basic Statistics (4) 

other course approved by SIS Undergraduate Advising Office 

Foreign Language (3–20 credit hours)

• 3–20 credit hours in one modern foreign language, depending on initial placement. Consult the SIS Undergraduate Office for more information. 

Area Specialization (9 credit hours)

• Three courses in one of the following regional areas: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Russia and Central Eurasia 

A minimum of two courses (6 credit hours) must be taken in SIS and a minimum of two courses must be taken at the 300 level or above. 

Africa 

ANTH-339 Culture Area Analysis (3) (topics) 

LIT-150 Third World Literature 3:1 (3) 

RELG-210 Non-Western Religious Traditions 3:2 (3) 

SIS-250 Civilizations of Africa 3:2 (3) 

SIS-265 Contemporary Africa (3) 

SIS-573 International Relations of Africa I (3) 

The Americas 

ANTH-339 Culture Area Analysis (3) (topics) 

HIST-241 Colonial Latin America (3) 

HIST-242 Latin America since Independence (3) 

HIST-340 Latin American Studies (3) 

LFS-210 Latin America: History, Art, Literature 3:2 (3) 

SIS-276 Contemporary Latin America (3) 

SIS-577 International Relations of the Americas (3) 

SPAN-357 Introduction to Latin American Literature (3) 

Asia 

ANTH-339 Culture Area Analysis (3) (topics) 

HIST-250 Civilization and Modernization: Asia 3:2 (3) 

HIST-347 Asian Studies (3) (topics) 

RELG-185 Forms of the Sacred: Religions of the East 3:1 (3) 

RELG-210 Non-Western Religious Traditions 3:2 (3) 

RELG-373 Hinduism (3) 

SIS-161 Civilizations of Asia (3) 

SIS-255 China, Japan and United States 3:2 (3) 

SIS-559 Selected Topics in Cross-National Studies (3) 

SIS-561 Modern China (3) 

SIS-567 International Relations of East Asia I (3) 

Europe 

FREN-431 Civilisation Française I (3) 

FREN-432 Civilisation Française II (3) 

FREN-433 French Topics (3) 

GERM-336 German Topics (3) 

GERM-438 German Civilization I (3) 

GERM-439 German Civilization II (3) 

GOVT-334 Modern British Politics (3) (study abroad) 

HIST-110 Renaissance and Revolution: Europe, 1400–1815 2:1 (3) 

HIST-204 Medieval Europe (3) 

HIST-221 History of Britain I (3) 

HIST-222 History of Britain II (3) 

HIST-239 Modern Germany since 1848 (3) 

HIST-318 Nazi Germany (3) 

HIST-319 Holocaust (3) 

HIST-320 War and Diplomacy: Napoleon to Bismarck (3) 

HIST-327 Twentieth Century Europe (3) 

HIST-334 Victorian England (3) 

HIST-336 History of Ireland (3) 

HIST-337 British Studies (3) (topics) 

SIS-331 An Overview of the European Union (3) 

SIS-347 Contemporary Germany and Berlin (3) (study abroad) 

SIS-355 European Foreign and Security Policy (3) 

SIS-380 Brussels Seminar (4) (study abroad) 

SIS-387 Madrid Seminar (4) (study abroad) 

SIS-530 Colloquium on the Common Market (3) 

SIS-551 Economy, Politics and Society in Europe (3) 

SIS-557 Foreign Policy Formulation in West European States (3) 

Middle East  

HIST-343 History of Israel (3) 

RELG-370 Islam (3) 

SIS-245 The World of Islam 3:2 (3) 

SIS-264 Contemporary Middle East (3) 

SIS-364 Contemporary Islam and International Relations(3) 

SIS-365 Arab-Israeli Relations (3) 

SIS-571 International Relations of the Middle East I (3) 

SOCY-225 Contemporary Arab World 3:2 (3) 

Russia and Central Eurasia 

HIST-225 Russia and the Origins of Contemporary Eurasia 3:2 (3) 

HIST-230 Early Russian History, 988–1700 (3) 

HIST-231 Imperial Russia, 1700–1917 (3) 

HIST-232 Twentieth Century Russia (3) 

HIST-345 Russian Studies (3) (topics) 

LFS-200 Russia and the United States 3:2 (3) 

SIS-258 Contemporary Russia (3) 

SIS-558 Authoritarianism and Democracy in Russia (3) 

Functional Field of Concentration (9 credit hours)

• Three courses in one of the following functional fields: 

Comparative and international race relations, global environmental politics, international business relations, international communication, international development, international economic relations, international politics, Islamic studies, peace and conflict resolution, or United States foreign policy 

A minimum of two courses (6 credit hours) must be taken in SIS and a minimum of two courses must be taken at the 300 level or above. 

Comparative and International Race Relations 

ANTH-210 Roots of Racism and Interracial Harmony 3:2 (3) 

COMM-534 Race, Gender, and the Media (3) 

SIS-140 Cross-Cultural Communication 3:1 (3) 

SIS-220 Confronting Our Differences/Discovering Our Similarities: Conflict Resolution 3:2 (3) 

SOCY-210 Inequality: Class, Race, Ethnicity 4:2 (3) 

SOCY-351 Race and Ethnic Conflict: Global Perspectives (3) 

SOCY-553 Multiculturalism (3) 

Global Environmental Politics 

SIS-110 Beyond Sovereignty 3:1 (3) 

SIS-337 International Development (3) 

SIS-388 International Environmental Politics (3) 

other courses approved by SIS 

Note: Participation in the International Environment and Development Semester together with SIS-388 fulfills all requirements for this concentration 

Global Security

ANTH-337 Anthropology of Genocide GOVT-396 Political Violence and Civil Wars HIST-120 Imperialism and Revolution HIST-235 West in Crisis, 1900-1945 HIST 345 The Cold War and the Spy Novel HIST-361 U.S.Foreign Relations Since 1914 HIST-500 Topics in Early Modern European History HIST-500 World War I SOCY-351 Race and Ethnic Conflict: Global Perspectives SPAN-559 Conflict and Culture in the Andes SIS-255 China, Japan, and the US SIS-319 Global Security Seminar SIS-349 News Media & Foreign Policy SIS-319 US National Security SIS-319 Foreign Policies of the Major Powers SIS-383 Security Relations in Russia-Eurasia SIS-419 Nuclear North Korea SIS-419 Afghanistan: Conflict and Society SIS-419 Climate Change and Violent Conflict SIS-419 Mass Media & Terrorism SIS-419 Cyber Conflict in Global Perspective SIS-419 Intelligence in transition SIS-419 Intelligence Successes and Failures SIS-419 Countering Terrorism SIS-419 Transatlantic Security SIS-419 Cybercrime, Espionage, Warfare SIS-419 Insurgency/Counterinsurgency SIS-419 US-China Relations SIS-419 Military Through The Information Age SIS-519 Economics of Transnational Crime SIS-519 Migration, Refugees, and Trafficking SIS-540 Conflict and Development SIS-542 Human and Global Security Note: Additional courses may be approved by the Program Director. Students should determine if the course is approved before registering. Students are strongly encouraged to take the global security seminar as one of their three courses. It is the foundational theory course. 

International Business Relations 

Consult the SIS Undergraduate Office for approved courses. 

International Communication 

SIS-340 Foundations of International Communication (3) 

SIS-341 Intercultural Communication (3) 

SIS-349 Selected Topics in International Communication (3) 

SIS 419 Cultural and Public Diplomacy (3)

SIS 419 Social Entrepreneurship: Culture, Communication, & Change (3)

SIS 419 Health Communication

SIS 419 Mass Media & Terrorism

Consult the SIS Undergraduate Advising Office for additional courses.

International Development 

ECON-110 The Global Majority 3:1 (3) 

ECON-318 Economic History (3) 

ECON-361Economic Development (3) 

EDU-285 Education for International Development 3:2 (3) 

GOVT-235 Dynamics of Political Change 3:2 (3) 

HIST-120 Imperialism and Revolution 3:1 (3) 

LIT-150 Third World Literature 3:1 (3) 

SIS-110 Beyond Sovereignty 3:1 (3) 

SIS-337 International Development (3) 

SIS-536 Special Topics in Development Management (3) 

SIS-537 Special Topics in International Development (3) 

SOCY-110 Views from the Third World 3:1 (3) 

SOCY-365 Economic Development and Social Change (3) 

Note: Participation in the International Environment and Development Semester fulfills all requirements for this concentration 

International Economic Relations 

ECON-370 International Economics (3) 

ECON-371 International Economics: Trade (3) 

ECON-372 International Economics: Finance (3) 

SIS-215 Competition in an Interdependent World 3:2 (3) 

SIS-385 International Economic Policy (3) 

SIS-388 International Environmental Politics (3) 

SIS-389 Special Topics in Policy Analysis (3) 

SIS-465 International Trade and Investment Relations (3) 

SIS-466 International Monetary and Financial Relations (3) 

SIS-504 Multinational Corporations (3) 

International Politics 

HIST-120 Imperialism and Revolution 3:1 (3) 

HIST-320 War and Diplomacy: Napoleon to Bismarck (3) 

HIST-321 War and Peace: Bismarck to Hitler (3) 

SIS-110 Beyond Sovereignty 3:1 (3) 

SIS-215 Competition in an Interdependent World 3:2 (3) 

SIS-301 Theories of International Politics (3) 

SIS-321 International Law (3) 

SIS-322 Introduction to Human Rights (3) 

SIS-325 International Organizations (3) 

SIS-355 European Foreign and Security Policy (3) 

SIS-504 Multinational Corporations (3) 

Islamic Studies 

RELG-105 The Religious Heritage of the West 2:1 (3) 

RELG-185 Forms of the Sacred: Religions of the East 3:1 (3) 

RELG-370 Islam (3) 

SIS-245 World of Islam 3:2 (3) 

SIS-364 Contemporary Islam and International Relations(3) 

SIS-596 Selected Topics (3) with permission of the student’s advisor 

Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies 

• SIS-308 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution (3) 

or 

SIS-328 Approaches to Peacemaking (3)  

SIS-110 Beyond Sovereignty 3:1 (3) 

SIS-220 Confronting Our Differences/Discovering Our Similarities: Conflict Resolution 3:2 (3) 

SIS-321 International Law (3) 

SIS-322 Introduction to Human Rights (3) 

SIS-325 International Organizations (3) 

SIS-396 Selected Topics (3) with permission of the student’s advisor 

Note: Participation in the Peace and Conflict Resolution Semester fulfills all requirements for this concentration. 

United States Foreign Policy 

SIS-381 Foreign Policies of the Great Powers (3) 

SIS-382 Analysis of United States Foreign Policy (3) 

SIS-384 American Defense and Security Policy (3) 

SIS-385 International Economic Policy (3) 

SIS-389 Special Topics in Policy Analysis (3) (topic approved by advisor) 

SIS-396 Selected Topics (3) with permission of the student’s advisor 

SIS-465 International Trade and Investment Relations (3) 

SIS-466 International Monetary and Financial Relations (3) 

SIS-581 Schools of Thought in Contemporary United States Foreign Policy (3) 

SIS-583 United States in World Affairs (3) 

SIS-588 International Security and Arms Control (3) 

Note: Participation in the International Politics and Foreign Policy Semester fulfills all requirements for this concentration. 

United States Foreign Policy and National Security 

SIS-382 Analysis of United States Foreign Policy (3)

SIS-319 U.S. National Security Policy (3)

SIS-319 Diplomatic Practice (3)

SIS-319 Foreign Policies of the Major Powers (3)

SIS-319 US Foreign Policy: Critical Global Challenges (3)

SIS-419 Intelligence in Transition (3)

SIS-419 US Foreign Policy toward the Middle East (3)

SIS-419 US Foreign Policy toward Latin America (3)

SIS-419 Countering Terrorism (3)

SIS-419 National Security and Proliferation (3)

SIS-419 Politics of National Security Budgeting (3)

SIS-419 The President, Congress, and U.S. Foreign Policy (3)

SIS-419 U.S. Defense Politics (3)

SIS-419 Homeland Security (3)

SIS-419 Cybercrime, Espionage, and Warfare (3)

SIS-419 Insurgency/Counterinsurgency (3)

Or other courses approved by the U.S. Foreign Policy Director

Senior Seminar (3 credit hours)

• SIS-400 Senior Seminar in International Relations (3) 

University Honors Program

All University Honors students must complete at least 12 credit hours of advanced-level (300-level and above) Honors courses including a 3 to 6 credit hour Honors Senior Capstone Project. Students may graduate with University Honors in the major if they complete at least 12 advanced-level Honors courses including the Senior Capstone Project in the department. Each department has three levels of University Honors requirements: Level I Options (100-200-level Honors classes); Level II Options (300-level and above Honors classes); and Level III Options (Honors Senior Capstone). The department Honors coordinator advises students in the University Honors Program regarding departmental options. 

Combined B.A. in International Studies and Master’s Degree

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its accelerated bachelor’s/master’s programs. Undergraduate students may complete up to 3 credits for every 9 credits required for the graduate degree that may be applied to the requirements for both degree programs. The department that oversees the graduate program the student enters will determine if the courses the undergraduate student completes will satisfy master’s degree requirements. 

Bachelor’s/master’s students must complete at least 18 in-residence credit hours at the graduate level after the bachelor’s degree is earned and maintain continuous, sequential enrollment in the two programs. 

This program enables highly qualified students to earn both a B.A. in International Studies and an M.A. in International Affairs, International Communication, International Development, or International Peace and Conflict Resolution.  

Course Requirements

• Admission to the combined B.A./M.A. program requires junior or senior standing, a cumulative grade point average of 3.50, a minimum 3.50 grade point average in SIS courses, a formal application, a written faculty recommendation, and an essay on the student’s academic interests and abilities in international affairs. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required. Interested students should contact the SIS Graduate Admissions Office. 
• All requirements for the B.A. in International Studies 

Undergraduate students may apply up to 12 credit hours of approved graduate-level course work to satisfy the requirements for both degrees. 

• All requirements for the M.A. in International Affairs, M.A. in International Communication, M.A. in International Development, or M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, including a minimum of 18 credit hours completed in residence in graduate status after the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Students must finish the master’s degree requirements within three years from the date of first enrollment in the master’s program.